Hantu Raya
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The Origin
Hantu Raya (Malaysia) is said to be the master of all ghost (hantu). It is the leader of the underworld legion and those who make alliance with it, is considered powerful. Hantu Raya is the acronym for Hantu (Ghost) and Raya (Festival, Large, Huge, Supreme, Enormous) as in 'Malaysia Raya' and 'Asia Raya'.
In modern Islamic Malay culture, the belief in Hantu is no longer valid but rather they distinguish it with Demon Satan and Djin Genie. Muslim hold the thought that Djinn and Demon are more powerful than man but less intelligent.
Older Malay people were said to have practiced animism. Some are far more diviated to worship the spirits. In the case of hantu raya, the owner is said to have form a pact with Djinn or inherited it from older generations in the form known as Saka. Hantu Raya can be used to perform heavy duty commanded by its master or even harm his enemies.
Hantu Raya is capable of materializing itself into another human being or animals and sometimes made itself as a double for the owner. Among its other trick is to form it owners shape and sleep with the owner partners. It can also possess or cause death to other people if so ordered.
Normally Hantu Raya feasts on acak (an offering made for the spirits, containing: yellow glutinous rice, eggs, roasted chicken, rice flakes and a doll). In some cases Hantu Raya is being offered with blood of a slaughtered animal. Food offering must strictly be observed in timely manner, to avoid any harm caused by the Hantu.
According to legend, people who failed to untie their bond with the hantu will suffer especially during death. Hantu Raya will resemble the look of its owner ever after death and roam the place. People seeing him will assume that the resemblance was similar to the deceased brought back to life. It will search for food and new owner at night and haunts people around.
Other legend said that the dying soul will face difficulty to die and became living corpse (zombie).
